HIGH SCHOOLS: Quarterback battles go on display

Saturday's Rancho Cucamonga Tournament is the first competition of the passing circuit portion of the offseason, but it will more resemble a quarterback derby given the teams involved. Most of the 12 teams in the field have quarterback battles taking place, and Saturday will mark a first step in helping decide which of them will be under center this fall.

"Honestly, that's one of the reasons we joined this tournament," Diamond Bar coach Ryan Maine said. "We have two quarterbacks competing for the starting spot. They need reps and experience and we want to film them.

"We'll be filming and grading and evaluating and seeing who makes the least mistakes."

The Diamond Bar battle is between junior-to-be Nolan Luzzi and sophomore-to-be Tyler Peterson. Whoever wins the job will have some nice talent to work with in 6-foot-2 receiver Cordell Broadus, 6-0 receiver Kanya Bell and all-purpose threat Tyler Brown.

For other teams, Saturday will mark the official unveiling of ballyhooed prospects who will get their first chance to show what the hype is all about.

At West Covina, that means sophomore-to-be Antonio "Noodles" Hull, who is trying to earn the starting quarterback job over senior-to-be Jon Najera.

Bulldogs head coach Mike Maggiore said both quarterbacks will get ample snaps on Saturday. Trouble is, West Covina is notorious for poor showings in passing tournaments because the Bulldogs aren't known as a passing team.

"We're going to throw the ball a little on Saturday, probably on every play," Maggiore said jokingly. "We just want to see our guys compete and run around. We don't change anything that we do. We don't put in any special packages or plays. This is a glorified practice for us."

Chino Hills prospect Jordan Thropay, who will be a sophomore next season, is supposed to be the quarterback of the future for the Huskies. But the immediate future at Chino Hills might belong to Colony transfer Matt Simko, a strong-armed, 6-foot-3 senior to be who got ample starting experience last season. Zach Chadwick, who played linebacker, also is in the mix.

"You're going to see all three of them get some reps (on Saturday), and then we're going to just let it pan out," Chino Hills coach Derek Bub said. "I'd like to make a decision sooner rather than later.

"We want to get better, and that's what I like about this Rancho Cucamonga Tournament, it gives you an idea of where you're at now."

Also on display for Chino Hills on Saturday will be standout 6-foot-3 wide receiver Jack Austin, who already has college offers from Boise State and Utah.

Fans better arrive early because Chino Hills and Amat square off against each other at 8:45 a.m. in the first game of the day for both teams. The teams will play in the regular season in Week 1.

Rancho Cucamonga had one of the top quarterbacks in the Inland Division last season in Dimitri Morales. But with him set to graduate next month, the Cougars are searching far and wide for a replacement. Rancho Cucamonga coach Nick Baiz said the quarterback battle is between five players and all of them will see time on Saturday.